Kings Seek Third Straight Win

The Sacramento Kings resume a five-game road trek on Friday night. Sacramento recently lost an ugly 133-100 home decision to the Pelicans but has rebounded nicely with two straight wins against weak opponents. They were 10.5-point favorites in a 131-110 road win against the Pistons on Tuesday and posted a 123-98 road win against the Hornets on Wednesday in a bout that had the Kings as 8.5 favorites. The Kings have covered the spread in three of their last five games.

De’Aaron Fox is having an outstanding season. The 26-year-old point guard has cooled recently, scoring 19 or fewer points in three of his last five games after scoring 19 on Wednesday. He has recorded an average of 27.9 PPG. Domantas Sabonis is enjoying one of his best stretches of the season, netting over 20 points in all but one game this month. The 27-year-old forward is having a dominating season, issuing an average of 20.2 PPG and 12.7 RPG. Keegan Murray collected 25 points on Wednesday. The 23-year-old forward is averaging 16.2 PPG and 5.5 RPG.

The Kings are 4-1 in their last five road bouts including a win against Pistons on Tuesday. They have now covered in four of their last five road clashes. Sacramento has scored at least 123 points in three of their last four games and is averaging 118.2 points per game, good for eighth. They are conceding an average of 117.2 points, placing them 21st.

76ers Dealt Third Straight Loss

The Philadelphia 76ers open a three-game homestand in this one. Philadelphia has been shaky recently, posting a 1-4 record in their last five games. This includes a loss to the Knicks and an ugly 120-109 home defeat against the Jazz this past weekend. The squad was marked as a one-point dog in a 139-132 road loss against the Hawks on Wednesday They have dipped 5.5 games out of the top spot in the division with the Knicks just behind. The 76ers have covered in one of their last five games.

Joel Embiid has missed the last three games as he deals with a knee injury. The 29-year-old center is expected to play in this one. Embiid is having another great season, averaging 34.6 PPG on 53.5% shooting. Tyrese Maxey continues to shine, collecting at least 25 points in three of his last four bouts. The 23-year-old point guard scored 35 points on Wednesday and has registered an average of 26.2 PPG. Kelly Oubre Jr. has been playing more minutes recently and has netted at least 15 points in three of his last four games. The 28-year-old shooting guard has issued an average of 13.4 PPG on the season.

The 76ers are 3-2 in their last five home games after losing two in a row to the Knicks and Jazz. They covered in three games in that span. Philadelphia is scoring an average of 119.9 points, good for fifth. They have allowed at least 120 points in three consecutive games and are conceding an average of 112.1 points, placing them 13th.